Panel interview question and answer sessions can be scary. You’re being asked by a group of people, which means you have to be quick on your feet, and able to answer in a way that satisfies several different individuals. To help you out, we’ve compiled this list of panel interview sample questions and answers.

Q: What made you decide to want to work for this company?

A: After hearing good things about you from a friend, I did some research and found that your values matched my own.

The interviewers want to see that you have a reason for choosing them specifically.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: Possibly at a managing position at the company. There, I feel as though I could impart the knowledge I’d learned on the job — using it most effectively.

The interviewers want to see a combination of ambition and dedication to the company.

Q: What’s your biggest strength?

A: I’m a people person.

The interviewers want to see that you can be honest about your strengths without bragging.

Q: What’s your biggest weakness?

A: I’m not a morning person, but recently I’ve been drinking coffee. This has helped.

This is a classic interview question. The interviewers want to see that you’re honest about your weaknesses, and that you’re taking steps to ameliorate them.

Q: Why are you leaving your previous job?

A: I had a great time at my old job, but I feel like I ran out of room to grow. This job is really what I want to do with my life.

The interviewers want to make sure you’re not bitter about past experiences.

Q: Describe a time when you and an employer disagreed on something. How did you handle it?

A: My employer said we should lobby politicians about zoning laws, while I said we should just find a new location. I appreciated that my boss listened to my opinion, but eventually we followed her idea.

The interviewers want to see that you don’t have a problem with authority.

Q: How would some of your fellow workers describe you?

A: They’d say that I was smart and that I had a good sense of humor.

This question shows that you get along well with others, since they had something nice to say about you.

Q: Describe a time when you simplified a complex concept.

A: When I was working as a customer service representative, I frequently had to explain the complex inner workings of my product to people who didn’t care too much about the details.

The interviewers want to know that you can see the forest for the trees: what are you doing, on a basic level?

Q: How do you motivate yourself?

A: I know this job’s important. The idea of a good day’s work constantly spurs me forward.

The interviewers are looking to see a sense of motivation that can spur you on throughout your whole career.

Q: What salary are you hoping for?

A: $43,000

The interviewers need to know how much you’re looking for before they know whether or not they’re willing to pay it.

We hope you enjoyed these panel interview questions and answers. If you did, you’re sure to have a leg up on the competition when it comes to figuring out how to answer panel or situational interview questions, because you prepared. And preparation is what separates the professional and the dilettante.